Hematite with Quartz (photo credit Rob Lavinsky)
Haematite is the mineral form of an iron oxide. It can be black to steel or silver-gray; brown to reddish brown; or red. It is mined as the main ore of iron.
BotryoidalHaematite (photo credit Harvard Museum of Natural History)
Gray hematite is typically found in places where there has been standing water or mineral hot springs. Haematite has also been discovered on Mars!
Haematite on Mars (photo credit NASA)
The name haematite is derived from the Greek word for blood ‘αἷμα haima’ as haematite can be red. It is used by jewellers in powdered form (with grease added) for fine polishing and is called rouge.
Red Haematite (Michigan)
Haematite is believed to have grounding properties. It is thought to help reduce the discomfort of leg cramps and broken bones. It is also thought to cleanse the blood, and help with blood-related diseases such as anaemia.
Haematite Sphere (photo credit Manchester Herbs)
There are some lovely haematite cabochons in my gemstone collection. If you’d like something beautiful made, let me know!
